Annual community tree-lighting ceremony

The annual tree-lighting ceremony brings a huge crowd into our downtown. Because our church sits right in the center of town, we participate with a live nativity, carols sung by the choir, and free hot chocolate for all who stop by. Tonight was a perfect night for the event: not too windy, no snow, no rain, and lots of excited families. Even the animals, trucked in from a farm out in the country and set up in the front courtyard of our church to recreate a manger scene, seemed happy to play their part.

The extra pictures show the crowd gathered around to see the animals and the Nativity scene.